Never Thought I'd Start Another One - tc464 (A) vs. Mike (J)

[Mike Solli]

20 Mar 43 - Pretty quiet day. Tomorrow won't be!

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Fifty-six bombers hit Tulagi again. Twenty-eight of the newest Mitchell bombers hit Lunga, losing 2 to flak. Thanks for the suggestion about the AAA guns, Joe!

I'm able to sneak in Ansyu PBs on fast transport missions, getting needed supplies to the forward bases. They are probably my most used ship class.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Only 72 bombers flew today, about a quarter of the total. Total bombing/bombardment losses to the enemy were 46 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 5951 (+112)
China: 1437 (+6)
Enemy strength: 257k (+1k)
Enemy units: 70 units (+1) - The 16 Construction Regiment arrived.
Guns: 164 (+11)

The 15 Chinese Corps, which arrived a couple of days ago with 255 AV is already down to 208 AV from the bombing and bombardment. Nice!

I have sufficient supply to attack tomorrow. It will be another deliberate assault with the goal of reducing the enemy forts to 1 (or 0!).

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[GrosserKreuzer]

I think a deliberate assault can only reduce 1 fort level per attack. Only a shock attack can reduce the fort by more than one level iirc.

Capturing the base is the one exception that also reduces the fort to 0, but that is kind of a different topic.

[Mike Solli]

I think a deliberate assault can only reduce 1 fort level per attack. Only a shock attack can reduce the fort by more than one level iirc.

Capturing the base is the one exception that also reduces the fort to 0, but that is kind of a different topic.

Ahh, thanks for that info. I should have realized that but never did. If I can get 3:1 odds and reduce the fort level, I'll get it. Here are the AV changes since the last attack:

Last Attack:

Japanese raw AV: 4485
Chinese raw AV: 1339

The assault odds were 2.20:1

Turn prior to tomorrow's attack:

Japanese raw AV: 5951
Chinese raw AV: 1437

We'll see how it goes. I'm really hoping to get the turn tonight.

[Mike Solli]

21 Mar 43

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Fifty-seven heavy bombers hit Tulagi today along with 21 B-25D1s hitting Lunga.

KB 2 came in 4 hexes east of Ndeni to hit a possible amphibious TF. That TF, unfortunately, disappeared. They found a small convoy at Ndeni sinking an xAK and 2 xAKLs. They did spot the US carriers at Luganville, 8 hexes away, just out of range. KB 2 will retire to the NE and probably back to Truk. The next time they sortie, they will be with KB 1, now at Truk.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The IJA bombers flew, softening up the Chinese at Chungking, prior to the attack. While they only destroyed 2 squads, they did disable 61.

Raw AV:
Japan: 6026 (+75) - pre-attack
China: 1424 (-13) - pre-attack
Enemy strength: 250k (-7k)
Enemy units: 66 units (+1 reinforcement, -5 destroyed in the attack)
Guns: 186 (+22)

The attack was even better than the last one getting 3.17:1 odds and reducing the fort from 2 to 1. I think the next attack will do it. I am going to throw in the 1 and 3 Tank Divisions. The two tank regiments and artillery of 3 Tank Division have been engaged in the battles, but the infantry, engineers and recon regiments have not participated nor has any of 1 Tank Division. All four of those units are at full strength and rested. I will combine the 3 Tank Division for the attack. The 4 units total an additional 501 AV.

In all, I lost 288 infantry squads destroyed and 728 disabled. My current AV is 4415, down 1333. I'll attack when my AV is >5000 (not including the tank divisions). I can see 28 of 37 Chinese Corps. The ones I see are battered, with the most recent reinforcement down from 255 to 180, one at 48, one at 24, 4 in the teens, 4 are single digits and the remaining 17 are all 0 AV. Yep, one more attack should do it.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
xAK Jinju Maru, Std-B, will convert to a TK.
xAK Jinzan Maru, Std-B, will convert to a TK.

[1275psi]

Im only just starting to scratch other AARs, but what strikes me is how totally skilled everyone is, and the knowledge base
is mind blowing
And don't even start me on the mods....
Also, how , even with so many games played, different strategies are still coming out

Last thought, some people here really, really know how to drive the Jap economy.......

[PaxMondo]

... Had the 28 and 27 increase today. I'm getting around 2 a day now.

That's pretty normal with the number of RnD factories you have on it ... but that doesn't detract at all from how good it feels to watch that arrival date steadily advance!!

(The anticipation ... it just pulls those turns right along ...)

[PaxMondo]

21 Mar 43
... Yep, one more attack should do it.

I agree, the armor will definitely put you over the top.

[PaxMondo]

I think a deliberate assault can only reduce 1 fort level per attack. Only a shock attack can reduce the fort by more than one level iirc.
...

Ahh, thanks for that info. I should have realized that but never did. If I can get 3:1 odds and reduce the fort level, I'll get it. Here are the AV changes since the last attack:
....

I have to think about this ... there are often (but not always) 2 updates to the fortifications of the defender even with deliberate assault ... it seems that I have on occasion seen the forts drop twice (I rarely intentionally shock attack), but I don't have a save with that example in my folder ... so maybe not, or maybe I was too excited and forgot to stash the save, or age has debilitated my memory, or ...

Maybe RJ can enlighten us ....

[PaxMondo]

Im only just starting to scratch other AARs, but what strikes me is how totally skilled everyone is, and the knowledge base
is mind blowing
And don't even start me on the mods....
Also, how , even with so many games played, different strategies are still coming out

Last thought, some people here really, really know how to drive the Jap economy.......

Yeah, progress has been steady on all fronts ...

[Mike Solli]

Im only just starting to scratch other AARs, but what strikes me is how totally skilled everyone is, and the knowledge base
is mind blowing
And don't even start me on the mods....
Also, how , even with so many games played, different strategies are still coming out

Last thought, some people here really, really know how to drive the Jap economy.......

I totally agree with you on all your statements. The knowledge here is astounding.

[Mike Solli]

22 Mar 43

Sub War

The Drum torpedoed and sank an Akasi class xAK loaded with resources a hex SE of Shanghai. Rotten subs are definitely making their presence known. They're everywhere. I have to plan every TF movement carefully.

The I-174 torpedoed an enemy xAK west of Luganville. No report of her sinking.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Munda was hit by a squadron of Dauntlesses escorted by a bunch of Warhawks, Wildcats and Corsairs. They bombed jungle.

A total of 43 heavy bombers hit Tulagi's port causing slight damage to an already heavily damaged port. I use Fast Transport TFs to resupply Tulagi, and they do it a little slower than normal, but get the job done.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Today's bombing/bombardment destroyed 52 squads. Nice day.

Raw AV:
Japan: 4606 (-1420)
China: 1056 (-368)
Enemy strength: 247k (-3k)
Enemy units: 67 units (+1)
Guns: 168 (-18)

Those AV changes were from yesterday's attack. Yesterday, one Chinese unit regenerated and 5 were destroyed:

Reinforcement:
69 Chinese Corps (57 AV)

Destroyed:
89 Chinese Corps
9 Base Force
57 AT Gun regiment
5 Construction Regiment
25 Group Army

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
E Matsuwa, Etorofu class, my first with 2 more arriving within 5 days. ASW or escort mission for these guys. The enemy subs are starting to pop up everywhere. I think I'll use these three in an ASW TF and place them somewhere important. Gotta figure out where...

[PaxMondo]

22 Mar 43
Reinforcement
E Matsuwa, Etorofu class, my first with 2 more arriving within 5 days. ASW or escort mission for these guys. The enemy subs are starting to pop up everywhere. I think I'll use these three in an ASW TF and place them somewhere important. Gotta figure out where...

Depending upon how large your tanker convoys are, you may wish to use these as an independent ASW force attached to the convoy ... I put an AV with my bigger/pricier convoys with the FP's on NavSearch/ASW and then use a SCTF with ASW orders .., Quite effective at spotting subs, somewhat effective at prosecuting them ...

[Mike Solli]

22 Mar 43
Reinforcement
E Matsuwa, Etorofu class, my first with 2 more arriving within 5 days. ASW or escort mission for these guys. The enemy subs are starting to pop up everywhere. I think I'll use these three in an ASW TF and place them somewhere important. Gotta figure out where...

Depending upon how large your tanker convoys are, you may wish to use these as an independent ASW force attached to the convoy ... I put an AV with my bigger/pricier convoys with the FP's on NavSearch/ASW and then use a SCTF with ASW orders .., Quite effective at spotting subs, somewhat effective at prosecuting them ...

Most of my TK convoys are ~4 large TKs. The largest is the 5 Tonan Whalers. Do you have the ASW TF follow at range 0? What's the radius for them? If I remember correctly, you said you like radius 3.

[PaxMondo]

Most of my TK convoys are ~4 large TKs. The largest is the 5 Tonan Whalers. Do you have the ASW TF follow at range 0? What's the radius for them? If I remember correctly, you said you like radius 3.

Distance =0, reaction range = 3 ... NavSearch range = 24 hours sailing range, 2xAV day search, 1xAV night search.

AV's are often replaced by my LB NavSearch "corridors" ... like from Formosa to HI, Fusan -> HI, Sikura -> Hokkaido -> HI, I get those ASW corridors setup early in the game and they run until game end.

In my AI games, AI subs when their detection is above 6 for 24 hrs, they abort their computer script and RTB. It will get re-initialized once they get to base. I don't get many kills against the AI, but it keeps the subs outta my waters. They tend to come in "waves". I often have to intervene with my convoys to suspend convoy ops for a few days when the "tide" is coming in.

In my H2H games, I can get hits/kills with my surface ASW units on subs whose detection remains above 6 for 24 hours. I can force the subs to ignore their detection level and remain on station, but then they are quite vulnerable to ASW particularly until mid-43 when the USN gets working torps. After mid-43, the USN subs not only get torps that work, but all of the replacement subs coming are of the deep water variety, basically they are almost immune to ASW in all the deep water areas. I can only prosecute them effectively in the shallow water areas.

Two things I have learned about ASW:
1. The USN subs are generally a lot faster than the IJN SC's.
2. The USN sub crews and leaders are a lot better than the IJN SC's.

PB's are much worse than SC's in all regards. E's tend to be much better than the SC's.

[Mike Solli]

Pax, that last post is invaluable to every Japanese player. Thanks, much!

[PaxMondo]

Pax, that last post is invaluable to every Japanese player. Thanks, much!

got me blushing here ...

you are most welcome!

[PaxMondo]

Pax, that last post is invaluable to every Japanese player. Thanks, much!

PS: you are approaching mid-43. I don't think the date(s) of allied sonar improvement have ever been disclosed, its hard coded, and GG always likes randomness, but whatever, you are getting close to that. Your sub losses will start to rocket soon, and the USN attacks will get much better ... I suspect another upgrade in '44 as well ...

[Mike Solli]

23 Mar 43

Sub War

It was an eventful day in the sub war. First, Ch29 hit Saury with a depth charge south of Balikpapan. She didn't sink, but Ted admitted she will need some repairs.

Then, the E W-25 hit the Seawolf, just about the same place as Saury was hit. According to Ted, she's headed home too.

SW of San Francisco, the I-38 torpedoed another Liberty ship. Later in the day, I heard sinking sounds twice. I suspect it was this ship and the xAK torpedoed yesterday (which I spotted heavily damaged and burning today).

Ted got a little retribution. The Gudgeon torpedoed an xAK a hex from Taihoku. The ship will survive to make port tomorrow, but she'll be out of commission for months.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Dive bombers hit Munda and heavy bombers hit Tulagi, as is their custom.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The bombers didn't fly today. The bombardment destroyed 32 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 4797 (+191)
China: 1095 (+39)
Enemy strength: 250k (+3k)
Enemy units: 68 units (+1) - The units that arrived yesterday and today were 7 Base Force and 7 Group Army. Good.
Guns: 143 (-25)

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
31 Mountain Gun Regiment, 31 Tankette Company and 31 Engineer Regiment, all components of 31 Division. The 3 infantry regiments are in Burma, where these guys will head.

[Mike Solli]

Pax, that last post is invaluable to every Japanese player. Thanks, much!

PS: you are approaching mid-43. I don't think the date(s) of allied sonar improvement have ever been disclosed, its hard coded, and GG always likes randomness, but whatever, you are getting close to that. Your sub losses will start to rocket soon, and the USN attacks will get much better ... I suspect another upgrade in '44 as well ...

Yep, I'm waiting for that to happen. I have most of my ASW/naval search corridors in place. When the Chungking campaign concludes, some of the bomber sentai will convert to ASW.

[Mike Solli]

24 Mar 43

Sub War

The I-38, who normally patrols off the US west coast, has been chasing a full supply convoy and has caught and sank another Liberty ship about 10-15 hexes east of Hawaii.

The catch of the day was the I-164 putting 2 torpedoes into the ARD AFDM-5 floating dock south of Pago Pago and sinking her. She was an 18k capacity floating dock. I'll bet it took a LONG time for her to get there just to become a fish apartment. Ted is going to be pissed. You're probably wondering why I had a sub patrolling down there. A couple (or more) game weeks ago, I got some intel saying there was an enemy TF far to the east along that hex row. I check the intel screen every day. You never know when you'll get something useful. It's rare, but it does happen. Anyway, I sent the sub there, just in case something would mosey along, and it did!

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Today, 2E and 4E bombers hit Lunga and a few more 4E bombers hit Tulagi's port for good measure. The invasion has to be coming soon. Ted knows I have carriers out there somewhere, so I'll bet he's cautious because of that. What he doesn't know is that the full KB is actually in the AO. KB 2 is headed back to Truk to refuel and replenish, but I may send the entire KB out to hang around just outside of enemy naval search cover. From that position,

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

For the second day in a row, the bombers didn't fly. The bombardment destroyed 24 squads.

Raw AV:
Japan: 5037 (+240) - The infantry and recon of 3 Tank Division arrived (138 AV).
China: 1119 (+16)
Enemy strength: 247k (-3k)
Enemy units: 70 units (+2)
Guns: 159 (+16)

Other Stuff

The Ha-43 engine R&D advanced to 8/43 and is expected to become operational 6/43. It is currently at 6x30 factories. When it becomes operational, all of the factories will increase to 90 for a total of 540 engines per month.

The Ki-84a Frank R&D advanced to 7/43 and is expected to become operational 4/43. Currently, 10 of the 18 factories are fully repaired giving 20% per day including the engine acceleration. They're getting close!